Diaspora focus: Mr Golf, Guinness & Oysters, Grant Muskett

The sport of golf is synonymous with Northern Ireland for many people around the world.

In the last 10–15 years, the sport of golf has raised the profile of Northern Ireland in a number of ways, thanks to the multiple major successes and Ryder Cup heroics enjoyed by Rory McIlroy Graeme McDowell and Darren Clarke.

Because of that unheralded period of success golf’s spotlight became firmly fixed on Northern Ireland as the sporting world wondered how 1.8 million people could produce so much special talent.

Our beautiful courses, ignored by golfing authorities for decades when it came to hosting Irish and British Opens, are now back doing just that.

Like most sports, golf is also a major draw for many of our diaspora living around the world.

One member of the diaspora who appreciates Northern Ireland’s affinity with the sport of golf more than most is London–based, Grant Muskett.

His company, Facilitate, set up the Golf, Guinness & Oyster Gathering (GGOG) in 2013 with support from Lord Iveagh and Guinness.

Since then Muskett has developed a business around bringing together high net worth and c–suite individuals to network and build business relationships
– all while enjoying Golf, Guinness and Oysters.

Despite having lived away from Northern Ireland for most of his adult life, ‘home’ or golf for that matter are never far from his thoughts.

Grant Muskett: “I’m a proud Northern Irish man and will do anything I can to promote Northern Ireland in a positive light and encourage people to travel there, not just for sporting occasions and tourism but for business interests too.”

It’s not just lip service either. His GGOG event which had previously been limited to England has now gone global.

In 2017 Dubai, New York, London and Singapore will host gatherings with the winners of each leg competing in the world finals day at the 2019 Open venue, Royal Portrush.

“I’m proud to be able to bring something that means so much to me personally back to Northern Ireland. We have some of the very best courses in the world here that I’m sure everyone who comes will fall in love with them,” said Muskett.

Northern Irish Connections, CEO Andrew Cowan welcomed the developments: “It’s great to see one of our diaspora so involved in promoting Northern Ireland and establishing connections between Northern Irish diaspora through his series of global events in 2017.”

“We have to commend Grant for his work. He hosted an event in Dubai recently. It was a big success and very well supported by NI diaspora there. I have no doubt the event in Royal Portrush will be a huge success both as an event but as a demonstration of how much Northern Ireland has to offer.”

If you have an interesting story about our diaspora or are interested sharing your own experience with us then email: info@niconnections.com or send us a private message on Facebook.